davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

Rural Press says: " A series of grassy and
well-watered but treeless valleys stretch
across the county for 100 miles in south
eastern direction, connected with each
other by canyons, passes, or low divides.
The first, in the northwestern part of the
county, is Big Meadows, comprising some
10000 acres of fertile land, mostly covered
with grasses, and capable of producing
crops of grain without irrigation. This,
with Mountain Meadows, 10 miles north
eastward, and of small area, is
MOSTLY DEVOTED TO STOCK GRAZING.
Butte valley. five miles south of Big
Meadows, is three miles long and one mile
wide. Greenville is in a small valley fif-
teen miles southeastward of this. Passing
southeastward out of this valley, across a
well-wooded divide of four miles, we come
to Indian valley, which has length of
eight miles and width of four miles, the
whole consisting of hrst-class
FARMING AND GRAZING LAND,
The chief crop of which is oats. Eleven
miles southeastward of this is .Genesee
valley, distinguished for the large amount
of vegetables produced by the few settlers
Glover valley, on the north fork of the
Feather river, is a long gorge-like depres-
sion, narrow at its lower end, but spread
ing out as We ascend till it reaches width
of mile or more. Dairying is the chief
pursuit in this valley. A few miles south
eastward, over another low wooded divide,
brings US to the lower end of Sierra valley,
a depression some twenty miles in length
and ten miles in breadth, which is neither
so well watered nor fertile as the others"
Oroville, in Butte county, and Reno, in
the State of Nevada, are the nearest rail-
road points from the western and eastern
parts of the county, and from which sup
plies are hauled in wagons.
In the higher valleys the winters are long
and somewhat severe for this coast, and
the summers brief but delightful From
July to October the climate of Plumas-
especially in the higher altitudes-cannot
be surpassed for salubrity. The Plumas
meadows embrace 4 section that is greatly
priced by the people of the valley as a sum-
mer resort, and large numbers go there
e CHI season to camp, hunt and fish, and
thus renew their health and energies.
In the earlier days of gold-seeking in
California Plumas was prominent mining
section and remains so to-day, the output
of gold annually being over 81 coo.
Quincy, the county seat, is a place of
considerable importance, has population
of 500, newspaper, the Pi,tmaS National,
good churches, excellent schools, etc.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

considerable altitude. 1t is bounded
east and west by ranges of hills
and mountains. and is as " landlocked !"
nest of valleys and low, dividing hills
as can be imagined. The northern
mountains, are lofty, are well timbered
with fir pine and cedar. Their slopes
abruptly descend TO the upper valleys and
along the next border the range sinks as
one goes southwark to low hills, and
finally grassy plateaux and hills.
THESE HILLS AND PLATEAUs
Are cultivatable over almost their entire
surface. The chief feature of the county is
Napa valley in the center of the county
longitudinally and some 30 miles in length,
with width of from four to five miles. 1t
slopes gradually to the tule lands of the
south, and is drained by Napa creek, navi-
gable to Naps City, the county seat. The
soil of the upper valley is gravelly loan, on
the south a sandy loan. Both are ex-
uemely rich and produce wonderfully.
Nearly the whole region is under cultiya-
ton 1t is largely the suburban residence
section for business men of San Francisco,
and the whole valley is consequently dotted
with beautiful homes, and farms, vineyards
and orchards in the highest state of cult
walton.
KNIGHTS VALLEY.
Also Pope and Berryessa valleys are notable
features in the topography, climatology and
productive capacity of Napa County. Be-
sides, there are Conn, Chiles and Capelle
valleys. All the cereals grow luxuriantly
in Napa, but fruit and vine culture are the
chief industries and sources OF wealth. At
ST. Helena is one of the chief wine manu-
featuring centers in the State, rival
ing the most fame'!s of the
south, and challenging judgment
of the product III the Atlantic
markets. All citrus fruits grow in Napa.
and all deciduous fruits flourish to the very
best advantage Some idea OF the climate
may be gained by the Eastern reader when
we state that cotton has been successfully
grown in Napa at an altitude of 1,500 feet.
A line of railway traverses the county from
the bay to northern extreme on the west,
and there is frequent and rapid transit be-
tween the county and San Francisco. with
connection also by two rail routes with Sac
ramento-one by way of Vallejo to Suisun
by the California Pacific road, and the
other from Napa Junction ferry, thence
by rail to Suisun, and on to Sacramento
over the California Pacific Railroad. Napa
is one of the notably
RICH COUNTIES
Of the State. Its residents represents great
amount of capital in the county of San
Francisco. Though small, very restricted
in area, its assessed values in 1886 aggre-
gated over $12,000,000. The climate is of
the best known in California, warm,
dry and health-giving. The summer
is very warm, the winter mild ard
genial. The county has many mineral
springs, which are very popular summer
resorts. The chief towns are Napa City,
a fourishing and progressive place of beau
tiful homes, st. Helena, Calistoga and
Yountville.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.

A Review of its Agricultural, Manufact-
uring and Commercial Interests.
San joaquin county lies directly south of
by Dry creek. A vast lake 500 miles in
length once existed between the Coast
Range and the loftier Sierras. Almost
midway in this inland sea, San Joaquin
county received rich and deep alluvial
deposit.
The county contains no waste land. All
Of its S73, 1876 acres is upon the assessment
roll, save about 20 900 acres. Its popula-
ton is upwards of 10000, about one to
every twenty nine acres. 1t enjoys excel
lent facilities for transportation, and CON-
munication of quick and easy access from
all points within itself, TO all the centers OF
trasie and commerce of the coast. 1t has
10 miles of railway within its borders,
while steamers and sail craft ply daily
upon over $50 miles of its navigable rivers.
THE CITY OF STOCKTON
Is the county seat, a bustling, business
place of some $1,000 inhabitants. Its site
is level, elevated ground, at the head of an
estuary of the San joaquin river reaching
into the fertile valley. In early days
Stockton was lively shipping point be-
tween San Francisco and the northern
mines. The city was laid out in
1S49 by Captain Weber, who had obtained
a grant from the Mexican Government
of the land adjacent to the embryo city.
Subsequently, as the great valley gradually
fell under the dominion of the pillow,
Stockton became the center to which the
trade and business of q prosperous agri-
cultural people naturally tended. The
country east and south of Stockton is made
directly tributary to this city by the Stock
ton and Copperopolis, and Stockton and
Visalia Railroads, the first running to Mil.
ton, in Calaveras county, a distance of
thirty miles, affording connection with a
large portion of Calayeras, and portion of
Tuolumne county. The second runs to
Oakdale, in Stanislaus county, giving easy
access TO the eastern portions Of San Joa-
quin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties.
ITS RIVER TRAFFIC Is ENORMOUS.
As high as quarter of million of tons of
grain and produce has been handled an
nually by the merchants and dealers en-
gagged in that business in Stockton. Over
IS, 100000 is invested in manufacturing in
Stockton, employing nearly one thousand
operatives The flour mills rank with the
finest in the State, aggregating 400 barrels
a day, while paper mills turn out from
eight to ten tons daily of news and book
paper, supplying many of the metropolitan
dailies and country journals on the coast.
As tc schools, no community East or West
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
pLUMAs COUNTY.
An Elevated Section of Farming, Mining
and Grazing Lands.

ana NTHLiuB 1Huus.
Plumas county has a population of $500,
and an area of 2,760 square miles. 1t is
mountainous, and very broken, the greater
part having an elevation of 5000 or 1000
feet above the sea- II is watered by the
beadwaters of Feather river, which, spread
ing ont toward the northeast and north
west, unite on the southwest and flow
toward the Sacramento river. Both these
streams have cut gorges and canyons from
300. to 500 feet blow the general level of the
country. that of the Feather river being
the deepest in the State. While the CEN
trail and southwestern part of the county
is thus divided into canyons, separated by
high ridges. the eastern and northern por-
tons rise into the high Sierras over 5000
feet above the sea. The surface of
THE COUNTRY is WELL TIMBERED
With sugar and yellow pines, spruce, FIR
and cedar, the forests being denser upon
the slopes of the Sierras than in the lower
country on the west and south. Many
valleys occur among the high hills of the
upper foothill region at the base OF the
Sierra, and are to some extent suited to
farming, but especially to grazing purposes,
and most of them are covered with grass
The soil is chiefly coarsely sandy and
gravely, producing but little dust in dry
seasons.
In speaking of this county, the Pacific
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
THE FoorH1LL FRUIT BELT

In Placer county. The foothills of FL Do
RADIO county are of the same character,
equally as good in every respect, and only
need better railroad facilities 70 make it
equal in value to Placer. Orchardists in
the neighborhood of Newcastle, Penryn,
Loomis, Clipper Gap Ophir, Mount Pleas
ant, Auburn and Colfax get handsome re-
turns from a few acres of orchards and
vineyards, and are rapidly accumulat-
ing property from the product of few
acres of land. Oranges, although not
much grown until recently, are one
of the best crops grown there.
and is, and will be the most profitable,
from the fact that their oranges ripen from
six weeks to two months earlier than they
do in the southern portion of the State, and
being of excellent quality-fully the equal
of those grown in any part of the world
and thus much earlier, they are without
competition in market, and sell at the
very highest prices.
SHIPPING ORANGES IN NOVEMBER.
The oranges, the present season, in the
region of Newcastle, Ophir, Pine, Loomis,
Penryn and Auburn, were ripe, shipped
from early in November, and brought So
per 100. The crop on some of the larger
trees amounted to from $500 to 5000, and
therefore brought from $50 to 800 to a
single tree There is no land in Los An
geles county equal, for orange culture, to
much that can be procured in the foothills
of Placer county at from $15 to $50 per
acre.
Citrus fruit-growing has only of late
years been begun. and but few of the
orange trees have as yet come into bearing,
but when they, do their time of early ripen-
ing and their superior quality will insure
them against any competition from the
southern portion of the State, and prices
will be cOrrespondingly satisfactory.
CHARACTER OF THE SOIL.
The peculiar feature of this belt,
especially that in the neighborhood
between Clipper Gap and Newcastle, is
is the fact that the whole underlying bed
rock is of slatestone formation, of light
brown color, all very much broken and dis
integrated to depth in most cases of from
ten to twelve feet. This makes the soil
very retentive of moisture, and as a heavy
rainfall occurs at this altitude, the fruit
culturists are enabled to successfully raise
all kinds of fruits, and, with thorough cul-
tivation, general produce without need of
irrigation. Another desirable class of soil
is the rotten granite, mixed with mold,
which extends from the region of Newcastle
to Roseville.
Another very important item is the fact,
which time has clearly demonstrated. that
fruit grown upon the soil of these sections
is not only much finer in quality, but also
much tirmer in texture, and therefore bears
transportation to the Eastern market much
better than fruit which is almost entirely
grown by irrigation. Improvements in this
section are going rapidly forwards. Thou
sands of acres have been cleared and
PUT INTO ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS
During the past year or two. Among the
fruit trees set out were large orchards of
Bartlett pears-a very profitable fruit-also
prunes, cherries and figs, all of which al
ways command the most remuneratiye
prices.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
SHASTA COUNTY.
Its Extent, Resources, Climate, Growth
and Future.

Its Extent, Resources, Climate, Growth
and Future.
Shasta county is situated at the head of
the Sacramento valley. It's greatest length
from east to west is ninety miles, and from
north to south sixty miles. 1t is equal in
extent to the combined areas of the States
of Delaware and Rhode Island.
The mountains of the Sierra Nevada
and Coast Range cover a large portion of
the county on all sides, except the south.
They are rugged and lofty, rising more
than 5000 feet above the sea. On the east
there are four peaks of special prominence
that stretch far into the county from the
Sierras, separated from each other dis
lance of ten or twelve miles. Lassen's
Peak has an altitude of 1857 feet, and is
timbered for two-thirds of the way to the
summit, or to an altitude of about 1000
feet. Other peaks and buttes are numer-
Gus, and
ALL INDICATE VOLCANIC ORIGIN.
AS shown by extinct craters, cones, sulphur
deposits, beds of lava, etc. Hot and boiling
springs are also found at frequent intervals
In the southern portion of the county is
foothill region, half circular in shape,
forming the northern end of the Sacra-
mento valley proper, and embracing about
100000 acres, the altitude of which is from
500 to $500 feet Tine southwestern por-
ton of this foothill region is a succession
of rounded hills, varying in hight from
so to 200 feet above the level of the
great valley The central and southern
portion consists of table lands, varying
in altitude from 500 to 700 feet. 1t has
many narrow valleys. From this section
eastward there is a gradual ascent to the
mountains embracing the higher foothills
of the Sierras. There are many fine valleys
and fertile plateaus.
SOILS AND PRODUCTIONS.
The soil of the valleys is alluvial or sedi-
ment, containing large amount of disin-
tegrated rock and gravel. color light red or
reddish-brown. rich and productive, excel
lent for the growth of small grains, alfalfa,
and such fruits as the prune, plum, pear,
fig, and all small fruits The bench
and plateau lands bordering the valleys
are mostly sandy, clay loan, granite
and clay, covered with powders and gravel.
These soils are peculiarly adapted 10 trees
and vines of all kinds. On the foothills
and mountains red loan or clay FREEDOM
mates, is very productive of small grains.
grasses. such as timothy and clover, and
the hardy fruits Also berries and vegeta-
bles of all kinds are grown most success
fully. On the elevated plateau of the north
and northwest the soil varies from black,
sandy loan to red loan or clay; bunch
grass is natural and heavy-an excellent
stock and dairy location. To the south
west the soil is generally an adobe, very
productive of small grain and elegant for
pasturage.
IT'S CLIMATE.
Almost any desired climate may be
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

The Garden Spot of Califo, nia-Mammoth
Vineyards-Miies of Orchards-Etc.
Sacramento county is perhaps, better
known than any other in the State. 1t was
here that General Suffer located, away back
in the 40s, and the site of the historic fort
that bore his name is now included within
the corporate limits of Sacramento city,
the capital of the State. The county con-
tains 1000 square miles, 935 of which is
Sacramento Valley, and s. square miles
lower foothill lands It is bounded on the
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
owing to its high altitude and distance

WARN BREEZEs OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Are more vigorous than IN Lassen county,
but the snow season is of very short dura-
ton. 1t is rarely that more than one or
two weeks OF sleighing can be enjoyed in
season, and live stock runs at large with
little protection during the winter months.
Within the past year there has been
number of immigrants to Modoc, and there
is every prospect of immigration steadily
increasing. 1t is said that the people of
Modoc county are the happiest and most
contented to be found anywhere upon the
coast. Their wants are-few, and are easily
supplied, the soil yielding abundantly
wherever properly cultivated. The sum-
mers are long and cool, compared to those
Of the middle counties, and all kinds of
live stock thrive well. The early settlers
of that county have become wealthy, the
raising of live stock being inexpensive and
highly profitable. The chief towns are
Alturas, Adm, Eagleville, Lake City and
Cedarville. Modoc is a delightful section
to visit in summer In Warm Spring Val
ley are mineral springs the waters of
which will boil eggs in three minutes, and
this at an altitude Of 6.000 feet
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

has 100 acres of hops, cleared over 100000
on his crop, while men who put in Is and
20-acre fields realized competency in six
months.
The granite quarries near Folsom are the
finest in the State, and are unlimited in ex-
tent of material
There are many large tracts in Sacra-
mento county in the hands of individuals
who offer them for sale in lots to suit, at
very moderate prices considering their 10
cation and productiyeness. Good improved
land can be purchased at from SIS to $40
per acre, which in few years will be
worth MANY times more
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

it is never muddy even after heavy rains.
1t has excellent schools, two weekly news
papers, a Touring mill, and is the business
center of populous and wealthy section,
the other smaller towns in the county are
Woodbridge, New Hope, Acampo, Locke
ford, Clements, Linden, Pennington, Col
legeville, Atlanta, Ripon, Lathrop, Bantas
and Tracy.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

pJOuuCtS are raised upon II
with almost unnatural prod
igality. These lands are not
often offered for sale, but
they can be had for from
SO to 5000 per acre.
Artesian wateris found in
San Joaquin county at q
depth Of from 500 to 600 feet,
and the flow is not incon-
siderable. At a depth v5ry-
ing between 800 and LEGO
feet 4 copious and powerful
stream is struck, which
rises, when confined, 10
twenty-five feet and over
above the surface, and some
flow to the extent of 100000
gallons every twenty four
hours. The majority Of
these wells are eight inches
in diameter. The old Court
house well was bored TWEEN
ty-four years ago, and is still
pouring forth its undimin-
lshed crystal tide from. an
inexhausible rose voir.
Many Of the wells emit gas
in large quantities.
CHEAP FUEL.
On coming to the sur'a e
the water frees itself from
the gas, and is in noWis
contaminated. In one Of
these wells, at French Camp,
the gas is collected. 90 ltined
in pipes, and used in light
ing, heating and cooking,
and for this purpose there
is an aburdlnt supply.
Lodi is quite a thriving
town of 1000 inhabitants,
environed by whoa fields
and watermelon patches,
although many in that local
ity are turning their atten-
ton to gardening and fruit
raising, to VIII ch the ii, b
sandy loan soil is well
adapted. One of the peculiar
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
NAPA COUNTY.
A Rich Fruit and Wine County Popular

A Rich Fruit and Wine COUNTY OPU1'1
Resort.
Napa county has an area of $40 square
miles, and is one of the smallest of Califor-
MAS counties. OF this, over $50 is Coast
Range mountains, 145 Napa and 90 square
miles of other valleys, with IS square miles
of tule land. 1t lies west of Yolo and So
lano. south of Lake and east of Sonoma'
Its southernmost point touches San Pablo
Bay, its northern rests upon mountains OF
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01
PLACER COUNTY.

The Home of Deciduous and Citrus Fruits
LAUNDERING Interests, Mining, Etc.
Placer county lies just north of Sacra-
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-01

mentO and FL Dorado, eX-
tends to the State line on
the east, is bounded north
by Nevada, west by Suffer.
1t is a peculiarly shaped
c0unty,oWing to the crooked
water courses that for the
most part form its northern
and southern boundaries.
The western portion extends
into the great valley of the
Sacramento, and contains
many important towns,
large wheat farms. orchards
and vineyards. The area of
Placer county is |, 400 square
miles, or 915, 1000 acres. The
northern and eastern por-
tons of the county embrace
the higher ranges of the ST.
ezra Nevadas, with It's mag
nifieent scenery, including
lofty peaks, deep gorges and
frightful chasms,
ALPINE LAKES AND MAGNIFI-
CENT FORESTS.
AT an altitude of some
5000 feet, in the very heart
of the Sierras. lies the beaU-
tiful Lake Tahoe, Whose
crystalline waters line the
shores of an miners basin,
surrounded by tower ne
peaks crowned with eternal
snow, and whose g and 70
ests of pine, fir, spruce and
tamarscS are the admiration
of the thou' and of pleasure
seekers and invalid who
annually visit it. This S c.
ton also abounds in mury
smaller lakes and thegrind-
est of mountain streams,
whose waters TEEN W tn
trout, while the forfs q
around are filled with deer,s
grouse, quail and other
game, that delight and a.
tract hundreds of amateur